“Culte”: The event series on the beginnings of French reality TV
The “Culte” series, released on Prime Video on October 18, goes behind the scenes of the launch of Loft Story, France’s first reality TV show. Inspired by real events, the series features the key characters of this landmark era. A series that the editorial team has devoured.
In 2000, Isabelle de Rochechouart, along with producers Philippe Palazzo Productions (PPP), discovered Big Brother, a reality TV concept that was taking Europe by storm. Although the project quickly attracted attention, French channels such as TF1 and M6 hesitated. They considered this type of program too “trashy” for French television. Isabelle de Rochechouart, a determined project manager, fought hard to convince M6. She knew she only had a few months to launch this new concept before Survivor aired on TF1. In April 2001, Loft Story finally went on the air, shaking up the standards of French television.
Fiction inspired by reality
Despite its fictional format, Culte retains many real-life elements, and draws direct inspiration from behind the scenes of Loft Story. The series retains the names of personalities such as Benjamin Castaldi, Loana and Jean-Edouard, who left their mark on the show’s history. The fictitious production company “ASP” also recalls Arthur Stéphane Productions, which actually produced the Loft. Axel Duroux and Stéphane Courbit, two key figures, play roles similar to their real-life activities, notably in the financial management of projects and the negotiation of franchises for TV channels. As in the series, PPP faced serious financial challenges, putting the brakes on several productions of the time.
César Domboy, best known for his role in Outlander, plays Raphaël Dumas, co-director of PPP. Around him, Anaïde Rozam (Isabelle de Rochechouart), Sami Outalbali and Marie Colomb (Loana) complete a remarkable cast, bringing to life the events of an era when reality TV was emerging as a social phenomenon. Showing the challenges, pressures and stakes of production, Culte reveals the intense work that went into bringing Loft Story to life in just four months.
A new season announced
The immediate success of Culte prompted Prime Video to order a second season, well in advance of the first. This second chapter will not be a direct sequel to Loft Story, but will focus on another phenomenon of the 90s-2000s: 2Be3. Formed in 1996, this group marked the introduction of boy bands in France, notably with hits like Partir un jour. Season 2 promises to explore the impact of the 2Be3, highlighting their challenges and success in a music industry in the throes of transformation.
The 2Be3 trio will be played by Antoine Simony as Filip Nikolic, Marin Judas as Frank Delay and Namory Bakayoko as Adel Kachermi. Filming will start in November, and fans can look forward to the new season’s release in late 2025 or early 2026.
“With Culte, we want to revisit the moments that changed popular culture in France,” explains Yaël Langmann, writer and director of the upcoming season. For those who want to immerse themselves in this pivotal era, Culte is a series that is both nostalgic and hard-hitting.
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